Hawks news: A potentially key promotion, potential new streaming options & more

Training camps will open up around the NBA in a matter of weeks and there remains plenty of intrigue around the Atlanta Hawks. With uncertainty around their current roster and the future of three-time All-Star Trae Young, little about the Hawks can be written in indelible ink.

For now, things are relatively quiet around the Association. But there have been a few Hawks-related headlines in the news cycle.

Hawks news: Andrew Saltzman promoted to President of Business Enterprise & Chief Commercial Officer

“Saltzman, who had been EVP & Chief Revenue Officer since 2015, will both lead and build a department that intends to capitalize on a prolific slate of upcoming Atlanta attractions -- such as the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game and eight FIFA World Cup matches in 2026 -- while also creating owned-and-operated events similar to the Bud Light Super Bowl Music Festival staged at the arena ahead of Super Bowl LIII in 2019,” Sports Business Journal’s Tom Friend wrote on September 5.

“In Saltzman's prior role, he oversaw local revenue streams, global partnerships, ticketing for Hawks and non-Hawks events, RSN and radio deals and arena bookings -- transforming the Hawks into one of the top 10 grossing franchises in the NBA.”

Here is the full release courtesy of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Lauren L. Williams.

Saltzman will work under Hawks governor Tony Ressler and team CEO Steve Koonin.

Saltzman, a member of the organization since Ressler’s group purchased the team, noted that his new role will allow him to take a grander view of things beyond just the Hawks.

The impact on the basketball side should be minuscule. But the experience in the arena could certainly change. The Hawks are already reimagining their popular Sixth Man section for next season in a separate decision announced in August.

Hawks news: Potential new streaming option on the way

Hawks fans can find all options to watch Hawks games in 2024-25 here. But they may soon have another option to add to the list. 

Multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos and Amazon Prime are in “late-stage talks” to stream all Bally Sports broadcasts (non-nationally televised) for the 13 NBA franchises partnered with the network, per The New York Post’s Josh Kosman on September 5. 

The deal also includes five MLB teams and nine NHL franchises.

“With the new streaming service — which could launch next month with the start of the NHL and NBA seasons — sources said fans will pay about $20 a month for access to their home team’s local games through Prime,” Kosman wrote on September 5.

“Crucially, fans with the Amazon Prime service would no longer need a cable subscription to watch local games.”

The gears for this were set in motion back in January.

Fans can currently find Bally Sports Southeast on Bally Sports+, DirecTV Stream, and FuboTV.

Hawks news: Trae Young sends message after rapper’s death

Young and the Hawks both sent out condolences over the death of rapper and Atlanta native Rich Homie Quan (real name Dequantes Devontay Lamar).

“The A lost a a great Artist but an even better Person today… always check on your brothers man,” Young posted on X on September 5.

“Multiple reports indicate the death was an overdose, but officials have not said that is the case,” Fox 5 Atlanta’s Joyce Lupiani wrote on September 5 notes.

Lamar, 34, had performed at halftime of multiple Hawks games over the years, including the 2015-16 season opener and Game 6 versus the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs in 2022-23.